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Indefensible
In the bestselling tradition of Defending Jacob, this taut legal thriller follows the trail of a man determined to protect his community, and his family&, at any cost.
Sometimes a simple walk in the woods can lead you down the deadliest of trails&,
When birdwatcher Cassandra Randall stumbles upon two men digging what appears to be a grave in a state park, she immediately reports it to the authorities. Federal prosecutor Nick Davis is initially incredulous about her claims, but he agrees to investigate. To his surprise, the far-fetched account turns up a body, and Nick is drawn into a case that will shake both his morals and his personal life to their very core.
One body quickly leads to another. The danger Cassandra has uncovered is just the beginning of a game of deadly stakes that implicates small-time drug dealers, petty thieves turned murderers, domestic abuse perpetrators, child pornographers, the highest offices of the legal system, and a criminal who is closer to Davis than he can even imagine.
Sometimes a simple walk in the woods can lead you down the deadliest of trails&,
When birdwatcher Cassandra Randall stumbles upon two men digging what appears to be a grave in a state park, she immediately reports it to the authorities. Federal prosecutor Nick Davis is initially incredulous about her claims, but he agrees to investigate. To his surprise, the far-fetched account turns up a body, and Nick is drawn into a case that will shake both his morals and his personal life to their very core.
One body quickly leads to another. The danger Cassandra has uncovered is just the beginning of a game of deadly stakes that implicates small-time drug dealers, petty thieves turned murderers, domestic abuse perpetrators, child pornographers, the highest offices of the legal system, and a criminal who is closer to Davis than he can even imagine.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
21 people are currently reading
681 people want to read
About the author
Lee Goodman
1 book6 followersLee Goodman spent his early years outside of Boston and on Cape Cod. When he was in his teens his family moved to rural Vermont. Lee majored biology at the University of Vermont then moved to Alaska where he spent the next ten years mushing sled dogs, commercial fishing, and living an off-the-grid lifestyle. Eventually he want to law school then returned to Alaska and dabbled in different areas of law before deciding he wasn’t really cut out for any off them. So now he’s off-the-grid again, living outside of Anchorage. He writes for most of the year, but commercial fishes for salmon in the summer. He has two children.
Lee says he never planned to write legal mystery. He was aiming for literary fiction and social/environmental commentary. But then he started writing "Indefensible" just for fun, and there was no turning back.
Lee says he never planned to write legal mystery. He was aiming for literary fiction and social/environmental commentary. But then he started writing "Indefensible" just for fun, and there was no turning back.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 23, 2014
“Sometimes a simple walk in the woods can lead you down the deadliest of trails.” This is the quote that opens the door to this incredible story, and in seconds, Goodman takes the reader by the hand and leads them into a frightening world they will never forget.
Cassandra Randall loves the calmness of bird-watching, but this relaxing hobby actually leads her into the woods to discover something she definitely does not want to see. On this particular journey, the birds are absent, but a mound of dirt bears investigating. Turns out, someone has dug a hole that looks suspiciously like a grave.
Finally spying a bird, Cassandra moves on, only to hear the voices of two men she believes are Park Rangers. Sitting down to wait them out so she and they will not be disturbed, Cassandra begins to question whether or not they are who she thinks. And when the men finally leave, she discovers the large hole has now been filled.
Feeling odd about the event, Cassie notifies the police. Although, they don’t really think there’s anything to the event, they do go out to investigate. Lo and behold, a body is found. Unfortunately, it takes a second corpse for the true horrors to begin.
A plot unfolds bringing Cassie into a world that includes; drug dealers, murderers, abuse, pornography, evil within the highest offices of the legal community, and a heartless killer who lead officer, Federal Prosecutor Nick Davis, knows all too well.
Although this is a legal thriller, the entire spectrum of suspense is covered. The plot, characters, and landscapes chosen ride the edge of horror. The dark forest, the whispered noises, all the factors that make you look under your bed before heading off to sleep, can be found. Even the most avid suspense reader will find themselves changing their mind between who is innocent and who is guilty, which means you definitely know this book is top-notch!
Cassandra Randall loves the calmness of bird-watching, but this relaxing hobby actually leads her into the woods to discover something she definitely does not want to see. On this particular journey, the birds are absent, but a mound of dirt bears investigating. Turns out, someone has dug a hole that looks suspiciously like a grave.
Finally spying a bird, Cassandra moves on, only to hear the voices of two men she believes are Park Rangers. Sitting down to wait them out so she and they will not be disturbed, Cassandra begins to question whether or not they are who she thinks. And when the men finally leave, she discovers the large hole has now been filled.
Feeling odd about the event, Cassie notifies the police. Although, they don’t really think there’s anything to the event, they do go out to investigate. Lo and behold, a body is found. Unfortunately, it takes a second corpse for the true horrors to begin.
A plot unfolds bringing Cassie into a world that includes; drug dealers, murderers, abuse, pornography, evil within the highest offices of the legal community, and a heartless killer who lead officer, Federal Prosecutor Nick Davis, knows all too well.
Although this is a legal thriller, the entire spectrum of suspense is covered. The plot, characters, and landscapes chosen ride the edge of horror. The dark forest, the whispered noises, all the factors that make you look under your bed before heading off to sleep, can be found. Even the most avid suspense reader will find themselves changing their mind between who is innocent and who is guilty, which means you definitely know this book is top-notch!
June 7, 2016
In his debut novel, Lee Goodman offers the reader some interesting insights into Nick Davis, Assistant US Attorney. In the opening pages, the reader is parachuted into the middle of an investigation into one of Davis's cases where a young man is found dead and buried in a shallow grave. Davis finds himself drawn to the eyewitness that offered a description that could lead to a solid arrest, though his precocious, teenage daughter, Lizzy, offers her own insight into this pairing. As the story progresses, Davis recounts some of the skeletons in his closet, including an ex-wife and a child who died in infancy, both of which shape his outlook on life. An accomplice to the original victim's murder and the aforementioned eyewitness both turn up dead, forcing Davis to question whether there is a leak in his office and someone is trying to silence all potential witnesses. With a drug dealer at the centre of the murder investigation, he commences stalking Davis and making threats against Lizzy, only heightening concerns within the US Attorney's Office as they try to capture him and deal with his less than cooperative attorney. While on the lam, the dealer is gunned down as well, opening a chasm with Davis at the centre of the mess with a strong motive to kill. All evidence points to him, leaving him forced to clear his own name as well as find the real killer before it's too late. As Davis struggles with the case, he soon discovers that the leak might be closer to him than he first thought, forcing him to come to terms with the preconceived notions he has let guide him over the past several months. In this curiously complex legal thriller, Goodman offers readers a wonderful introduction into his writing and the life of Nick Davis. Worth a reading for those looking to think alongside absorb a legal thriller.
I first stumbled across Goodman and the Nick Davis series last summer when I was offered an advanced copy of the second book. In reading that novel, I pondered not only the cast of characters who developed on the page, but also the thorough backstory that Goodman offered. Reading this novel, I am left with some of the same sentiments; that much could have been written before this novel, as Goodman offers hints at many storylines and character branch-offs. The succinct narration that keeps the reader pushing forward and demanding more, while also offering a hint at the unspoken plots that might have shaped Davis's younger years. Goodman knows his audience and is able to plant significant amounts of drama as well as some off-hand humour to keep the reader from straying. While not courtroom-based, I enjoyed what Goodman had to offer and can only hope there will be more Nick Davis in the years to come.
Kudos, Mr. Goodman for an interesting beginning to the Nick Davis saga. One can hope the critics are as pleased as I was with this effort.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I first stumbled across Goodman and the Nick Davis series last summer when I was offered an advanced copy of the second book. In reading that novel, I pondered not only the cast of characters who developed on the page, but also the thorough backstory that Goodman offered. Reading this novel, I am left with some of the same sentiments; that much could have been written before this novel, as Goodman offers hints at many storylines and character branch-offs. The succinct narration that keeps the reader pushing forward and demanding more, while also offering a hint at the unspoken plots that might have shaped Davis's younger years. Goodman knows his audience and is able to plant significant amounts of drama as well as some off-hand humour to keep the reader from straying. While not courtroom-based, I enjoyed what Goodman had to offer and can only hope there will be more Nick Davis in the years to come.
Kudos, Mr. Goodman for an interesting beginning to the Nick Davis saga. One can hope the critics are as pleased as I was with this effort.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 17, 2014
“Indefensible” by Lee Goodman, published by Emily Bestler Books.
Category – Mystery/Thriller Publication Date – June 03, 2014
Nick Davis is a Federal Prosecutor who is asked to investigate a possible murder and burial. Cassandra Randall witnessed what she thought was a burial while bird watching. No one had any idea of the ramifications that this incident would cause.
Davis finds himself knee deep in the case and sees his faith in his fellow man and morality threatened. This becomes especially apparent when Cassandra is murdered, which leads to several other murders.
Davis, on the trail of the murderer, is confronted with small time hoods that deal in drugs and other petty crimes. However, there seems to be more to this than small time criminals, even though the main suspect, Avery “Scud” Illman, seems to be in this category.
Things really get dicey when Davis starts to question himself, and whether he may be implicated in this death. He also starts to look around his office and begins to see suspects within his own people.
As the case starts to unravel Davis is faced with the dilemma of what is right and what is wrong, especially when there are children involved. Does the greater good allow for the suppression of critical evidence? Does the greater good allow for the twisting of evidence so that a guilty person is charged for a crime they did not commit?
If you are looking for a low key mystery that has many twists and turns “Indefensible” will feed that need.
Category – Mystery/Thriller Publication Date – June 03, 2014
Nick Davis is a Federal Prosecutor who is asked to investigate a possible murder and burial. Cassandra Randall witnessed what she thought was a burial while bird watching. No one had any idea of the ramifications that this incident would cause.
Davis finds himself knee deep in the case and sees his faith in his fellow man and morality threatened. This becomes especially apparent when Cassandra is murdered, which leads to several other murders.
Davis, on the trail of the murderer, is confronted with small time hoods that deal in drugs and other petty crimes. However, there seems to be more to this than small time criminals, even though the main suspect, Avery “Scud” Illman, seems to be in this category.
Things really get dicey when Davis starts to question himself, and whether he may be implicated in this death. He also starts to look around his office and begins to see suspects within his own people.
As the case starts to unravel Davis is faced with the dilemma of what is right and what is wrong, especially when there are children involved. Does the greater good allow for the suppression of critical evidence? Does the greater good allow for the twisting of evidence so that a guilty person is charged for a crime they did not commit?
If you are looking for a low key mystery that has many twists and turns “Indefensible” will feed that need.
November 2, 2015
3.5 stars, rounding up for this debut legal drama.
What drew me into this story at the beginning was the clear delineation between the District Attorney's position on legal ethics and his opposite number's, the Defense Attorney. Where does the Constitutional right to legal defense end (if anywhere)?; is there ever an end to client-attorney privilege? Where, if ever, does the prosecution show mercy to the lowest offender when the top dog is given immunity? These and other questions were raised as the tale progressed.
Although the series of murdered bodies and the quest for truth and justice is interesting, what really kept me reading was the potential blurring of the hard-boiled ethical stands of the major legal players. Was there paranoia involved? Did characters make large and small errors in judgment? Was justice served in the end?
I understand that this is the first book featuring Nick Davis. I will look for its sequel, since the characters and their actions in INDEFENSIBLE did cause me to think as I read. It was not always a comfortable read, however.
Lee Goodman shows real potential in his writing and I am glad I happened on this title somewhere on the Goodreads site.
What drew me into this story at the beginning was the clear delineation between the District Attorney's position on legal ethics and his opposite number's, the Defense Attorney. Where does the Constitutional right to legal defense end (if anywhere)?; is there ever an end to client-attorney privilege? Where, if ever, does the prosecution show mercy to the lowest offender when the top dog is given immunity? These and other questions were raised as the tale progressed.
Although the series of murdered bodies and the quest for truth and justice is interesting, what really kept me reading was the potential blurring of the hard-boiled ethical stands of the major legal players. Was there paranoia involved? Did characters make large and small errors in judgment? Was justice served in the end?
I understand that this is the first book featuring Nick Davis. I will look for its sequel, since the characters and their actions in INDEFENSIBLE did cause me to think as I read. It was not always a comfortable read, however.
Lee Goodman shows real potential in his writing and I am glad I happened on this title somewhere on the Goodreads site.
June 3, 2014
Indefensible's plot and main character, Nick Davis, are both engaging and complex. Nick's impulsiveness is sometimes ill-advised and sometimes inspired. He admits to posturing to impress birdwatcher Cassandra Randall and then is endearingly awkward and self-conscious when he tries to leave a message on her answering machine. Passionate and protective, with a tendency to over-react, Nick seems refreshingly authentic to me. Even the minor characters in this debut novel are memorable and multi-dimensional. And the plot - wow - the plot is like a Rorschach test. Look at it one way and see one scenario. Look again and see something quite different. Mysteries within mysteries, expertly woven, with entirely unexpected results.
June 15, 2014
Whew! Wild ride! Happy to discover this author...
September 6, 2018
This book is basically about Lawyers and the legal system so whe i started this book a few years ago, i thought well this will be boring. And i was right!, however i dont give up easy and as the book prgressed it had potential. Basically there is a disappearance ending in a dead girl , a young boy taken to be used in the porn industry. The twist is the lawyers on both sides end up involved somehow and this exposes the secrets within the legal system. A sentance that stood out the most to me was " It,s how you can defend scumbags like Scud Ilman . You said you don,t defend criminals , you defend principals. And it,s unfortunate that some pretty unsavory characters are the vehicles of those principles" "You,re an Ethical person and you,re expected to keep secrets of monsters"..
So now i,m as boring as the book. Hope this desn,t take you 2 years to read.
If you like legal dramas then i recommend it. But i also recommend sticking a fork in your eye whenever you hear Beiber so don,t take my word for it.
So now i,m as boring as the book. Hope this desn,t take you 2 years to read.
If you like legal dramas then i recommend it. But i also recommend sticking a fork in your eye whenever you hear Beiber so don,t take my word for it.
August 11, 2014
When you jump on this fast paced legal thriller that Lee Goodman wrote, entitled Indefensible, you better be in a chair with arms on it. You need to be awake to the doings of the protagonist Nick Davis, his daughter Lizzy, and Bill-the-Dog. There are intimate dealings between clients, lawyers, judges, and police departments that smack of actual intimate knowledge. It is not a genre I read often but I enjoyed coming back to it every time, which is more than I can say for some of the books I do consider my genre. In full disclosure, I know and like the author but I have several shelves of books by authors I know and like and they hold books that I didn’t finish. One caveat—don’t loan the book out without keeping the cover in your possession. Pet it a couple times a day just to get relaxed.
July 6, 2014
The plot of Indefensible is a decent one and it moves along as a thriller should, but the writing in this book is really clunky, perhaps because of the first person narrative. Our hero, Nick Davis, is an aging player and lawyer who spends big chunks of the books hitting on various women, thinking about hitting on various women, and being proud of himself for his brief periods of parenting his teenaged daughter. When a woman he was attracted to and hit on is murdered, he takes it upon himself to pursue justice in her name. Character development is likewise clunky and the whole thing, despite its plot, left me feeling "meh." Not a great read, not a terrible read, but certainly an easy read.
June 24, 2014
I found this book to be really good, thought there were times that I found Nick Davis to be just a tad bit unhinged. His daughter Lizzy seemed to be the most "I got this" type of person and came off as very mature for her age. Not sure this had anything to do with either of her parents?!
I found the clues left in the book were pretty obvious and you could figure out who did most of the killings if you are paying attention. The book is well written and kept me engaged till the end.
It is a fun and easy read.
I found the clues left in the book were pretty obvious and you could figure out who did most of the killings if you are paying attention. The book is well written and kept me engaged till the end.
It is a fun and easy read.
August 23, 2017
Remember, one man's quick and breezy summary may be another man's spoiler.
Federal prosecutor Nick Davis in upstate New York is the "hero" in solving several homicides.
But I didn't like the way he illegally rearranged the evidence and guilt and actions of various players, behind the scenes, so that "justice" would be served. In this sense, the book's title is perfect.
Makes me wonder how often the law (police and/or lawyers) play with the facts to frame people, or let them off crimes they did commit.
Federal prosecutor Nick Davis in upstate New York is the "hero" in solving several homicides.
But I didn't like the way he illegally rearranged the evidence and guilt and actions of various players, behind the scenes, so that "justice" would be served. In this sense, the book's title is perfect.
Makes me wonder how often the law (police and/or lawyers) play with the facts to frame people, or let them off crimes they did commit.
June 22, 2020
Brilliantly written. Brilliant story. Lots of twists and turns and unpredictability. Assistant District Attorney Nick Davis finds himself in the middle of a rash of murders, and doesn't know where to turn. Things keep getting more and more complicated with each passing day, until Nick begins worrying he may be the most likely suspect in at least one of the killings. Spell-binding. Highly recommended.
January 4, 2019
Loved this fast paced, intellectually challenging crime thriller. Lots of psychological twists and turns, interesting characters, tragic flaws, and a real surprise at the end. The writing is fresh and smart, so much so that I had to force my husband to listen to passages that I read aloud. Will look for more of his work. Read it in two days.
February 20, 2022
Hate to so say it, but this book was just awful. I did not like it at all. There were so many characters and every time I thought I was just following some sense of the story someone else would get killed off and new characters were introduced and on and on. For me, this was the worst book I have read in a long time. :(
September 28, 2025
JAJAJAJAJA. Este libro me ha dejado con unas sonoras carcajadas. No sé por qué Lee Goodman ha escrito sólo otro más, debería haber seguido la racha de uno cada año o cada dos. Muy bien tejida la trama. Encantador e inteligente protagonista. Amena, muy amena. Y sin apenas sangre ni atrocidades, que con complejos juegos de ingenio basta y sobra. Absolutamente recomendable! Disfrútenla!!
February 23, 2017
3 1/2 stars. Fast paced and suspenseful. I picked this up at the library as a "blind date." Not a bad date! I'd read another book by this author.
June 14, 2017
For a crime novel this was really slow to get into and the story was hard to follow at points.
August 19, 2017
Dragged a bit in the middle, but a good whodunnit overall.
January 1, 2021
Terrible, boring. DNF 65 pages in and it’s not going anywhere.
February 21, 2022
Strated off slow, but gained momentum. Very interesting read, with many unexpected twists. Good read.
July 24, 2023
DNF - It's too wordy and lacks the punchy detail to keep you interested. Too many characters and not a lot of character development.
I read 75 pages before calling it quits.
I read 75 pages before calling it quits.
March 12, 2024
A bit confusing with all the innocent, not innocent twists and turns but I liked it.
August 4, 2014
This is a solid first novel & a good synopsis is provided above.
It all begins with the rumour of a body. Long time federal prosecutor Nick Davis makes the mistake of taking his daughter along when he & other law enforcement types investigate a call concerning a possible gravesite. Not only is there a body but the woman who reported it is soon assassinated in her home.
And they're off. More murders will follow as Nick & his team try to piece together who is responsible & the case branches off in multiple directions. What starts as the execution of a small time drug dealer & informant soon evolves to include a mythical drug lord, domestic & child abuse, pornography & a close tie to Nick. Someone in his complicated personal life may be involved & Nick becomes convinced he himself is a suspect.
Despite the complex plot, this is an even paced & easy read with as much space devoted to the case as Nick's home life. The story is told from his POV so we are privy to the thoughts of this likeable main character. Though long divorced, he maintains a good relationship with his ex-wife & they share custody of Lizzy, their daughter, who is a combination of typical teen & wise beyond her years. The rest of the cast is mostly comprised of lawyers, cops & lowlife criminals.
But this is Nick's story. He's a 50-ish guy at personal & professional crossroads. As a lawyer, he's always been confidant of his role in the justice system & has adhered to a strict code of ethics. As a man, he's lonely & open to the possibility of finding love again. His marriage dissolved following the loss of their infant son & it's haunted him ever since.
The investigation & hunt for the killer(s) becomes a personal test for Nick, causing him to question his beliefs & consider actions that would shatter the ethical rules he's clung to for so long. Yes, it's a thriller/police procedural but it's also the story of a man forced to confront his past & take conscious steps to actually start living instead of floating through life.
This was an ok read for me. Nick is portrayed as an intelligent, likeable & decent guy & there are several peripheral characters of note that are compelling. The relationship between he & Lizzy is enjoyable, alternating from fractious to funny. I did get a bit tired of his tendency to view all women he meets as potential girlfriends, particularly his insta-love for the woman who reported the first body. His continued pining for her seemed a tad obsessive considering her knew her for about a day & a half before she was killed.
The story picks up in the final few chapters as we approach the big reveal & the identity of one of the killers is a nice twist I didn't see coming so kudos to the author for that. Side plots are sufficiently developed so the characters come across as well defined individuals instead of stereotypes. Maybe if the first 2/3 of the book was more in line with the last third I would have rated it higher. It's not badly written, just a slower paced & more methodical story than my preference so I think it's a matter of taste.
By the end, the case is wrapped up but it's questionable whether justice was served. There are also a couple of big changes in store for Nick (this is the start of a series) so if you enjoyed this, the good news is there's more to come.
It all begins with the rumour of a body. Long time federal prosecutor Nick Davis makes the mistake of taking his daughter along when he & other law enforcement types investigate a call concerning a possible gravesite. Not only is there a body but the woman who reported it is soon assassinated in her home.
And they're off. More murders will follow as Nick & his team try to piece together who is responsible & the case branches off in multiple directions. What starts as the execution of a small time drug dealer & informant soon evolves to include a mythical drug lord, domestic & child abuse, pornography & a close tie to Nick. Someone in his complicated personal life may be involved & Nick becomes convinced he himself is a suspect.
Despite the complex plot, this is an even paced & easy read with as much space devoted to the case as Nick's home life. The story is told from his POV so we are privy to the thoughts of this likeable main character. Though long divorced, he maintains a good relationship with his ex-wife & they share custody of Lizzy, their daughter, who is a combination of typical teen & wise beyond her years. The rest of the cast is mostly comprised of lawyers, cops & lowlife criminals.
But this is Nick's story. He's a 50-ish guy at personal & professional crossroads. As a lawyer, he's always been confidant of his role in the justice system & has adhered to a strict code of ethics. As a man, he's lonely & open to the possibility of finding love again. His marriage dissolved following the loss of their infant son & it's haunted him ever since.
The investigation & hunt for the killer(s) becomes a personal test for Nick, causing him to question his beliefs & consider actions that would shatter the ethical rules he's clung to for so long. Yes, it's a thriller/police procedural but it's also the story of a man forced to confront his past & take conscious steps to actually start living instead of floating through life.
This was an ok read for me. Nick is portrayed as an intelligent, likeable & decent guy & there are several peripheral characters of note that are compelling. The relationship between he & Lizzy is enjoyable, alternating from fractious to funny. I did get a bit tired of his tendency to view all women he meets as potential girlfriends, particularly his insta-love for the woman who reported the first body. His continued pining for her seemed a tad obsessive considering her knew her for about a day & a half before she was killed.
The story picks up in the final few chapters as we approach the big reveal & the identity of one of the killers is a nice twist I didn't see coming so kudos to the author for that. Side plots are sufficiently developed so the characters come across as well defined individuals instead of stereotypes. Maybe if the first 2/3 of the book was more in line with the last third I would have rated it higher. It's not badly written, just a slower paced & more methodical story than my preference so I think it's a matter of taste.
By the end, the case is wrapped up but it's questionable whether justice was served. There are also a couple of big changes in store for Nick (this is the start of a series) so if you enjoyed this, the good news is there's more to come.
May 3, 2014
Summary: Federal prosecutor Nick Davis is drawn into a case of drug dealers, thieves, child pornographers, and other criminals. As he peels back the layers, he discovers danger closer than he ever thought possible, which threatens his family and all the moral convictions he’s ever held dear.
Review and Opinion:
This book was provided to me by Goodreads in the hopes that I would provide a fair and unbiased opinion of the novel. I thank Goodreads for their continued efforts to match great books with interested readers.
I want to start this review by tempering it with the acknowledgement that this book is author Lee Goodman’s debut novel. As with any fledgling effort, the first time out can be met with a great deal of criticism. As Goodman develops his craft and continues to write about his Nick Davis character, I’m sure that my objections will be smoothed out. Goodman shows a tremendous amount of promise, and I hope he continues to hone his craft.
Things I didn’t like about the beginning of “Indefensible” are that Nick Davis seems a little bit much of a good old boy who displays patience for all the “little women” in his life. Ex-wife Flora is a mess who daughter Lizzy has to look out for. I think it’s more that she makes life decisions that don’t necessarily mesh with his beliefs, but whatever. I also don’t like that right out of the gate, knowing that there could be a dead body in the woods that Cassandra found, Nick decides to take said daughter, 14 year old Lizzy with him to see, like it’s a field trip. He’s also not slowing down on trying to put some smooth moves on the woman who asserts that just hours ago saw some guys burying a body in the woods while she was bird watching. I know you can’t always pick your moments, but damn!
The writing and development of the characters aren’t really in line with who the characters are supposed to be. Lizzy is alternately babyish or overly mature for her age, depending on what chapter is being read reading. Tina is alternately a ball-buster or a sweet little thing, depending upon which light Davis is seeing her in.
After Cassandra is callously murdered, Davis admits that he is not much of a trial lawyer but is chomping at the bit to take her case to trial as it seems the least he could do given their chemistry. Dude, do me a favor and if I’m ever murdered, put your pride aside and choose the best prosecutor on your team to handle the case, don’t hug it selfishly to your chest because you want the self-satisfaction.
The character of Nick Davis is constantly doing “guy” things and reminding us that it’s a guy thing. He has secret inside jokes that take longer to explain than is necessarily worth it. While I am not in love with the Davis character (can you tell?) Goodman does a good job developing an interesting plot that kept me interested in finishing the book.
I won’t explain the end, but Goodman does an excellent job weaving the twists and turns to a satisfying and surprising conclusion.
FYI: “Indefensible” by Lee Goodman published by Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Release date June 3, 2014
Coming in 2015, “Identity”, a new Nick Davis novel
You can find descriptions for both novels here http://leegoodmanbooks.com/books.php
August 25, 2016
I don't know where to go with this one. I had to check the book out twice to finish it. Mainly because the book started out slow and I got bored with it. So I turned it back in because it made no sense to "pay" the public library for late fees. But I was determined to find out what happened so I checked it out again. I gave it three stars because there was some promise; a few bright spots here and there.
Here's what I know for sure...the book is way too long. It reads like a book that started out in one direction but over time the author thought of some
other stuff he wanted to include and just threw it in for the sake of trying to make it complicated. The premise, a witness seeing someone burying a body, dissipated very early in the book. Way too early if you ask me. It was a weak plot and very thin. I kept trying to figure out why the book was so long. There wasn't much there. The story has too many characters and is too convoluted for me to try to explain it. I don't understand why a few folks gave this book 5 stars.
I wonder how long it took the author to write this book? I ask because I can tell that the author's writing seem to get better as the book went on. But it was like a roller coaster. I plowed through because I'm no quitter! LOL! But mainly because I needed to know why a book was 400 pages long when the it storyline was so thin.
Bottom line? Too many characters, disjointed storyline, weak premise, unfulfilled "ending" and disappointing reasoning behind the "who, what and whys". Though he tried to answer some questions, he still left a lot of holes. I don't like it when that happens. I felt dissatisfied.
So glad it's over.
Here's what I know for sure...the book is way too long. It reads like a book that started out in one direction but over time the author thought of some
other stuff he wanted to include and just threw it in for the sake of trying to make it complicated. The premise, a witness seeing someone burying a body, dissipated very early in the book. Way too early if you ask me. It was a weak plot and very thin. I kept trying to figure out why the book was so long. There wasn't much there. The story has too many characters and is too convoluted for me to try to explain it. I don't understand why a few folks gave this book 5 stars.
I wonder how long it took the author to write this book? I ask because I can tell that the author's writing seem to get better as the book went on. But it was like a roller coaster. I plowed through because I'm no quitter! LOL! But mainly because I needed to know why a book was 400 pages long when the it storyline was so thin.
Bottom line? Too many characters, disjointed storyline, weak premise, unfulfilled "ending" and disappointing reasoning behind the "who, what and whys". Though he tried to answer some questions, he still left a lot of holes. I don't like it when that happens. I felt dissatisfied.
So glad it's over.
August 21, 2014
"I am stunned by his audacity. "Counselor Vance, if you object to the current state of the law, then go get your self-righteous ass elected to something, and change it, but don't come in here blaming me for the way it is. Because the way it is, is the way it is." I glare at him a moment, then shout, "Now get the hell out."
Indefensible is an easy to read fast paced legal thriller. Nick Davis, federal prosecutor, is our main character, and the story is told entirely from his point of view. The trouble with this is that he has a very flawed and skewed view of reality. This ups the challenge of solving the mystery a bit, as in doing so the reader needs to weed out Nicks various dalliances with his over active imagination.
Read more at http://thereadingmaven.wordpress.com/...
Indefensible is an easy to read fast paced legal thriller. Nick Davis, federal prosecutor, is our main character, and the story is told entirely from his point of view. The trouble with this is that he has a very flawed and skewed view of reality. This ups the challenge of solving the mystery a bit, as in doing so the reader needs to weed out Nicks various dalliances with his over active imagination.
Read more at http://thereadingmaven.wordpress.com/...
October 25, 2014
This is a good read for Goodreads. Starts out with an oblique take on the action through the eyes of federal prosecutor Nick Davis who works close to the action in the vein of Steve Martini's Paul Madriani or Robert Rotstein's Parker Stern, haunted on this case for compelling personal reasons.
Though this isn't one of them, you can find lots of reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal.
Though this isn't one of them, you can find lots of reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal.
October 12, 2016
From 9/25/15: Was unclear about one of the characters near the end of the book and found the explanation lacking a resolution. Continued reading that last few pages and found the answer. Good story that went many directions. Sometimes too many, but overall, good novel.
Read again over a year later. Long drawn out plot and many , many characters sometimes confused me. Seemed like almost everyone could have been involved in a murder at some point, whether drug dealers, law enforcement, petty thieves, or gangsters. Although somewhat bumbling, Nick Davis, investigates a site where birdwatcher Cassandra Randall thinks she saw a body being buried. Murder and mayhem follow. To me, only the last 50 pages were concise and brought closure to some of the crimes.
Read again over a year later. Long drawn out plot and many , many characters sometimes confused me. Seemed like almost everyone could have been involved in a murder at some point, whether drug dealers, law enforcement, petty thieves, or gangsters. Although somewhat bumbling, Nick Davis, investigates a site where birdwatcher Cassandra Randall thinks she saw a body being buried. Murder and mayhem follow. To me, only the last 50 pages were concise and brought closure to some of the crimes.
December 12, 2014
This was a strange book for me . Instead of presenting several bits of information and allowing the reader to draw his own conclusions, the author indicates what this information could mean. This sort of thing usually annoys me but here it didn't. Another usual minus for me is a lengthy explanation at the end of what really happened. I prefer that the characters tell me themselves through their words and actions. The author does give a lengthy expose detailing who committed what crime and how it all worked out legally. Since the author is an attorney his words seem true. Although lawyers work hard at this skill it worked well in this novel, making me rescind my usual biases.
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